James E. Earnhart 1950-2025

He was born Aug. 10, 1950, in Masury, a son of Maj. Charles L. and Helen Klucher Earnhart.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Charles L., formerly of Mercer, Pa.; and his wife of 46 years, Kathryn Shaker Earnhart.

Jim is survived by his son, the Hon. Jason Charles (Patti) Earnhart of Phoenix, Arizona, and his daughter, Emily Earnhart of Hartford; sisters, Carole (Kevin) Burgess of Wyoming, Catherine (Dave) Bean of Virginia, Audrey Earnhart of Minnesota and Mary Bible (Charles “Chip,” deceased) of Brookfield; and sister-in-law, Mary Earnhart (Charles “Lee,” deceased) of Mercer, and their families, including several beloved nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, godchildren and cousins; as well as his extended family, including beloved brothers- and sisters-in-law, and “Shaker” nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, godchildren and cousins. He truly loved you all.

Jim grew up in Masury, attended St. Patrick School in Hubbard and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in Warren. Following marriage to his high school sweetheart, he attended Mackinac College on Mackinac Island, Michigan, until its closure and returned to study at what is now Youngstown State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree with a focus in communications and education. He later studied at St. Francis College (University of St. Francis) in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he received his master’s degree in education.

He was employed in various social service, education and administrative positions, most notably as director at Residential Horizons homes, followed by work as facilitator of assistive education technology through Trumbull and Mahoning counties, and later applied that knowledge to work in education with an emphasis on autism through work for the state of Ohio at OCALI, from which he retired.

From his youth, he was exceptionally talented in music, having taught himself keyboard by watching the keys of a player piano, and later studied both in and out of classrooms in high school and college, also participating in voice in numerous bands and choruses. He tried his hand at many hobbies, including writing songs that he played for friends, pizza making, farming, volunteer firefighting and directing camcorder movies, to the dismay of his kids. He was a collector and lover of all things Coca-Cola, old movies and music, VW buses and road trips, and was a great storyteller to the end.

He loved his family and his friends and was charitable almost in excess. He will be remembered for his kindness, the joy he took in helping others and his uncompromising, independent nature. Always late, his passing was the only too-soon thing he did.

His children would like to thank the staff, nurses and director at Addison at Garden Way, Hermitage, Pa., whose care and attention gave him a few more months of dignity prior to passing; the staff and his doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, especially Dr. Kristin Appleby; and the staff and doctors at UPMC, notably Dr. Al Joseph and especially the emergency, palliative and hospice teams in Pittsburgh, who made his final days peaceful. Thank you also to Briceland Funeral Home for respecting Dad’s final wishes.

Per his wishes, his life will be celebrated quietly and privately by his family, and his ashes will be laid to rest with his wife in Hartford.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Parkinson’s Foundation or a charity of your choice.

(special notice)